Improved Planitherm Total Sets New Standard for WERS

Saint-Gobain Glass has improved the Window Energy Rating (WERs) performance of its flagship SGG PLANITHERM TOTAL low-emissivity glass thanks to successful R&D and investment at its UK coating facility.

The solar factor (g-value) of SGG PLANITHERM TOTAL has been increased by 2% to 0.66 for standard windows (0.71 with SGG DIAMANT low-iron glass outer pane) whilst maintaining the same low U-value of 1.2 W/m2.K, further optimising the balance between heat loss and solar heat gain. This development signifies a turning point for the market, making cost effective energy saving windows easier to achieve than ever.

‘Insulating glass units comprising PLANITHERM TOTAL and ordinary float glass will now reach the same BFRC energy index as a hard coat combined with low-iron glass,’ explains Susan Lambeth, Product Manager at SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS.

‘We already knew that by switching to PLANITHERM TOTAL from hard coat the WERs performance improved by more than 5kWh/m2/yr*. With this latest innovation that improvement is now around 8kWh/m2/yr*, which is typically the equivalent of adding significantly more expensive low-iron glass to the outer pane. This means that window companies can supply the excellent Window Energy Ratings as standard without the additional expense of low-iron glass’.

SGG PLANITHERM TOTAL is manufactured 'offline' on a magnetron coater. This process is carried out after the glass has been made and involves the deposition of a series of metallic oxide layers onto the surface in a vacuum. Thanks to the flexibility of magnetron coating technology products can be modified and adapted to provide excellent thermal insulation and neutrality, whilst maximising solar gain and passive natural lighting.

Lambeth continues, ‘We expect this breakthrough to set a new standard for WERs. The subsequent higher g-value with low-iron glass makes top of the range A-ratings easier to achieve whilst, at the same time, offering homeowners the target C-rating using the latest energy-saving technology, without the high price tag’.

For more information on Window Energy Ratings using SGG PLANITHERM TOTAL, including a full breakdown of the various performance figures please visit the new dedicated website http://www.energy-efficient-glass.com or email glassinfo.uk@saint-gobain-glass.com.

* Based on a standard GGF window configuration with a 30% frame factor and Uf of 1.8.